Guide for Parents & Minors

If your child has expressed interest in Midwest FurFest or the furry fandom as a whole, we’re sure you have some questions. Read on for answers to some of the most common ones, and don’t hesitate to contact us if there’s something we haven’t covered here.

If you are looking for the consent forms for minors either attending with another parent or legal guardian, such as the parent of a friend, or are a 17 year old looking to attend without a parent or legal guardian, please visit our Consent Forms page.

What is Midwest FurFest and what does it do?

Each year, Midwest FurFest showcases and raises funds for an area animal related non profit. In previous years, these have included wildlife sanctuaries, rescue agencies, educational groups, and charities related to support of police/military animals. Over our 20+ year history, we have raised well over a million dollars for our various charities.

In terms of our educational goals, much of our panel and workshop programming deals with tutorials of various types. The topics range from year to year, but you will generally see panels on improving your artwork or writing, starting a small business based on your talent, costume construction or performance, and much more. You may also see a panel covering a topic that isn’t related directly to furry related topics, such as a panel discussing a particular career or interest that relates to a sizable number of our attendees. In addition to our extensive programming content, the dealers room, artist alley and art show provides venues for people to showcase their talents.

In addition to the above, we provide a social venue and entertainment for our attendees. Attendees from all over the country and all over the world come to Chicago each year for Midwest FurFest. Many of these people are friends that have found each other via the internet or at other events, and our convention provides one of the few times they may be able to see each other during the year. It also provides a wonderful opportunity to meet people from other areas of the world and make new friends and connections.

What is the furry fandom?

A fandom is a collection of people who are interested in a similar topic; think football fans or fans of a TV show. Furry in general is the study and/or appreciation of anthropomorphic animals, which are animals with human characteristics. Think Disney and Warner Brothers cartoons, such as Zootopia and Bugs Bunny.

What furry means to each individual can vary and it may be different from person to person in the fandom. For some, it is just the appreciation of animals and anthropomorphic animals. Others may develop their own characters based on real or fantastical animals or mixes of either. For some, these characters are just masks they put on when in the community, but others may feel a spiritual connection between themselves and their character.

What are some events at Midwest FurFest?

Midwest FurFest plays host to many and varied events. In addition to the panel and workshop programming mentioned above, we have larger events including concerts, comedy and talent shows, as well as an auction of donated items to benefit our convention charity. 

Midwest FurFest also includes a large vendor hall, artist area and art show where many talented members of our community sell items including art commissions and prints, books, games, clothing and costume parts and accessories.

Do you need a costume to attend Midwest FurFest?

Absolutely not! A majority of our attendees do not own costumes.​

Is Midwest FurFest age-appropriate?

Midwest FurFest offers a variety of programming and events intended for a wide spectrum of audiences. Programming at Midwest FurFest is generally appropriate for all ages, including all daylight hour events. Selected events and programming are specifically geared toward our younger attendees, and will be indicated in our schedule. Certain evening programming involving mature themes, or otherwise inappropriate for minors, may be restricted to adults only; such programming is clearly indicated on event schedules.

While costuming and conduct for all attendees must comply with our code of conduct and applicable legal statute, parents should expect a wider variety of costuming and expression after the sun sets. In addition, certain vendor and gallery areas contain material which may be inappropriate for minors. Such areas do not permit entry to minors under any circumstance, and vendors are required to ensure such material is not displayed or visible to minors regardless of the vendor's assigned area.

Attendees under the age of 18 are issued clearly identifiable minor badges. Admittance to mature programming, vendor areas, and galleries are restricted to adults 18 years or older, and enforced either by badge check or legal photo ID age verification. Parents and legal guardians are reminded that children should be accompanied at all times, even at child specific events, and are responsible for both the location and conduct of their charges.

What are the registration policies and prices for children at Midwest Furfest?

For Registration Prices, please visit our Registration page.  

For detailed instructions and requirements for minors to attend, please visit our Consent Forms page.

Where should I park?

If you’re not staying at a local hotel, the Parkway Bank Park garage offers public parking and is connected to the convention center via sky bridge. For those who prefer transit, there are nearby CTA Blue Line and Metra stops as well.

What is there to eat?

There are several dining options provided by the Hyatt Regency O’Hare and the Rosemont Convention Center, ranging from grab-and-go to table service. Additionally there is a Starbucks located in the main lobby of the Rosemont Convention Center. Finally, there are many dining options within easy walking distance (or with the aid of the free Rosemont Circulator shuttle bus). More information can be found here.